Scripture

1 Peter 2:19-21 (TLB)

Praise the Lord if you are punished for doing right! Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong; but if you do right and suffer for it, and are patient beneath the blows, God is well pleased. This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.

Consider

God is not pleased by our suffering any more than a mother is pleased when her child is hurt by a bully at school. When we hurt, God hurts because he loves us. Suffering for its own sake is a useless endeavor that grieves God.

Christ did not come to suffer needlessly but to show us faith so strong that he would cling to God and not return evil for evil no matter what was done to him:

He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. (vv. 22-23)

The courage to bear up under unjust treatment with an attitude of joy absolutely requires our trust in the sovereignty of God. We must believe that God has the world well in hand and that the divine plan to recover and heal what is lost and broken in the world is not stopped by evil. Rather, righteousness wins out over evil as we each do out part to bring the kingdom into our relationships.

Our part in this plan follows the example of Jesus:

He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours! (v. 24)

When we return evil for evil, in essence we require the other person to bear our evil in his or her body, just as we bear the evil that is done to us. If, however, like Jesus we refuse to return offense but bear the hurt in our own body without retaliation, then the sin stops with us. Returning patience and kindness instead of harm interrupts what can easily become an defeating cycle of injury and hate.

Forgiving an offense essentially means bearing another’s sin in the hope that God’s goodness will win out over evil in this one instance. Each time we successfully hold out for goodness, we contribute in our small way to the success of the cosmic battle between good and evil being waged in the heavenly realms. We can do this because we believe that the ultimate victory is already promised to those who love and serve God.

Pray

FATHER, show me the difference between suffering that is merely self-indulgent and suffering that brings honor to you. When I remember that my pain grieves your loving heart, give me courage to find joy in a troubling relationship because I can do good in your name no matter what the other person says or does against me. Thank you for sending your Son to suffer and die on a cross for my good and to teach me how to cling to you through the most difficult circumstances.

Reflect

Colossians 3:13;  1 Peter 3:17

Ponder

What does it mean to bear someone’s sin in your body? In what ways do you carry the evil done to you?